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Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley Disagree Over Jalen Brunson-Jaylen Brown Debate

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Joshua Rosenblum | Last updated May 15, 2025 10:47 AM ET

In a heated exchange on a recent segment of "Inside the NBA," Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley clashed over the merits of Jalen Brunson and Jaylen Brown ahead of Game 6 in the New York Knicks-Boston Celtics series.

The discussion, sparked by the Knicks' 3-2 series lead, saw Barkley championing Brunson, arguing that the Celtics' shooting guard is the series' best player and that all the pressure will be on the Knicks.

O'Neal, however, countered passionately, asserting that Brunson, who is having one of the greatest postseasons ever, would be the standout in Game 6.

The debate intensified as O’Neal dismissed Barkley's view, labeling it "crazy," while Barkley stood firm, emphasizing Brown's ability to perform under pressure.

This disagreement highlights the high stakes of the upcoming game, with both players' performances critical to their teams' fortunes.

After steamrolling the Knicks in Game 5, Joe Mazzulla and his squad are now oozing in confidence and can play more freely in the Garden on Saturday night, as noted by Barkley.

For the Knicks, Barkley asserted that it is a "must-win" game, declaring that the Celtics momentum would propel them to winning the series on their home floor in Game 7.

As the Celtics aim to force a Game 7, and the Knicks seek to close out the series, the O’Neal-Barkley spat underscores the intense scrutiny on Brunson and Brown, making Game 6 a must-watch event.

The clash of opinions from two basketball legends only adds to the anticipation surrounding this pivotal matchup.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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